Images of the project during its transformation on site - for final photos please see the project page.
As an overseas project, Mercury House required a high level and great quantity of benchmarking, sampling and the supply of very specific information. A good degree of resourcefulness and ingenuity was required from the entire team. The project also demanded a great deal from the contractor too who rose to the occasion, producing what was arguably their best work to date.
The practice only visited site 4-5 times over the 10 month site duration (each visit lasting 1 week) and these were always intense, jam-packed and immensely productive periods. Contact between the UK based Studio Ageli and the remainder of the design team and contractor (based locally) was constant and uninterrupted allowing the project to be completed on time and without any insurmountable issues. Pre-planning and selection of the right team made a critical difference – due credit must be given to the client for their trust and responsiveness as well as to Atom Engineering for their communication and adaptability.
It was a joy working with local, highly skilled craftspeople and sharing knowledge back and forth. The build team continuously impressed with their dedication to skill, attention to detail and ability to listen as well as make good recommendations. Given the sorry state of the original building, it was a source of great joy to see the project emerge as it did in all its glory completely reinvigorating and ready to see out another 100 years.
